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What to Expect at PATCH’s Intake Evaluation

We know that coming to therapy may be a new experience. Here is some information to help you prepare for PATCH’s 2-hour intake evaluation. The intake is the first step that families must complete before beginning therapy.

The intake will take place in three parts:

  1. First, we will learn more about is bringing you to PATCH and get information about your child's medical, developmental, and family mental health history – this will help us understand your child as a whole. This is typically done with the child and caregiver(s) together in the same room.
  2. Second, we will conduct a “diagnostic interview”. This means we will ask about many ways anxiety and other big feelings might show up for your child. Our goal is to have a comprehensive sense of where your child is doing well and where your child is struggling. Depending on your child’s age, this may be done just with caregiver(s), just with a child, or all together; at least some questions will be asked of your child alone.
  3. Third, we will summarize what you told us and share feedback about our initial impressions and recommendations for next steps. This is typically done all together.

The intake will be led by a licensed clinician who specializes in pediatric anxiety. As PATCH is a teaching clinic, a graduate student or postdoctoral trainee may shadow the intake assessment.

You can let your child know that they will be asked questions about things that may feel hard for them. You can emphasize that this is not a test, and that the evaluator just wants to talk and learn more about them. They will not have to answer any questions they don’t want to and can take breaks as needed. There will be no medications or vaccines. The goal is to come up with a plan to make it easier to do things that feel hard.

You are encouraged to bring copies of any previous medical records, school reports (e.g., IEPs or 504 plans), or psychological evaluations.

If your evaluator feels PATCH will be helpful, we will match you to a therapist who will work with you directly throughout treatment. Please note, as after-school spots are limited, there may be a waitlist for later time slots. If the evaluator does not feel PATCH is a good fit, they will make alternative recommendations.


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